Ethics Policy
SpoolBench earns commission when readers buy through our links. Pretending otherwise would compromise everything else we publish, so the rules below document how we keep that commission relationship from quietly distorting the editorial work.
Affiliate Disclosure
SpoolBench is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We may also participate in other affiliate programs from time to time. When you purchase a product through a link on this site, we may receive a commission. The price you pay is unchanged. Per the Federal Trade Commission's Endorsement Guides (16 CFR Part 255), this relationship is disclosed in the footer of every page and is the financial basis on which the site operates.
No Paid Placements
SpoolBench does not accept payment in exchange for product coverage, ranking position, favorable review wording, or removal of negative coverage. Products are selected for review based on category demand, sales volume, and editorial judgment about reader relevance — never on the basis of which manufacturer or retailer is paying. The site does not run sponsored posts, advertorials, or "as seen on" placements that are not clearly labeled as advertising.
Conflict of Interest
Any author or contributor with a financial relationship to a brand or product covered on SpoolBench — equity, paid consulting, paid speaking engagements, family employment, or ongoing commercial partnerships beyond standard affiliate commission — must disclose that relationship on the affected pages. Material conflicts disqualify the contributor from editing or approving coverage of the affected brand. Standard Amazon Associates affiliate commission, which applies uniformly to every covered product, is not treated as a conflict but is disclosed site-wide on every page that contains affiliate links.
Sponsor and Partnership Policy
SpoolBench accepts standard affiliate commission from retailers including Amazon and may accept commission from additional retailers in the future on the same disclosure terms. We do not accept manufacturer-funded sponsorships, brand-funded "best of" rankings, or any arrangement in which a third party reviews coverage prior to publication. Banner advertising, when present, is clearly labeled as advertising and is not coordinated with editorial coverage of the advertiser.
Independence from Manufacturers
SpoolBench purchases the products it reviews wherever practical. When a manufacturer provides a sample for review, the sample is acknowledged on the affected page; the manufacturer has no editorial control, no preview rights, and no veto over the resulting verdict. Samples are returned to the manufacturer or donated after the review window unless the value is below standard nominal-gift thresholds. Long-term-loan arrangements are disclosed for the duration of the loan.
Reader-First Editorial Defaults
When a question lands in a gray area not covered above, SpoolBench defaults to the more transparent option and updates this policy afterwards. We would rather over-disclose and explain than quietly skirt the line. If you spot a coverage decision on this site that appears to violate the rules above, the contact below is the fastest way to flag it.
Commission on a recommendation does not change whether the recommendation is true. SpoolBench's ethics policy is the operational discipline that keeps that line load-bearing instead of decorative.
Reach the editorial team at the contact form on our about page to flag a conflict, ask about a sponsorship arrangement, or report a gap in this policy.